1. VOLCANOES IN HAWAI’I
Except for an undersea volcano further east (Loihi), the Hawaiian active volcanoes are all to be found on the ‘Big Island’, the most eastward island of the archipelago. The volcanic system of the Big Island formed by 5 volcanoes includes :
The Mauna Kea, culminating at 4205m, is the highest mountain of planet Earth measured from the ocean floor (9691 m). Due to its altitude and the very thin and clear air (bitterly cold and windy though), it is a prime location for astronomy.
The Mauna Loa (4170 m), is the most massive volcano in the world. Its very gentle slopes are formed by huge impressive lava fields. The last eruption occurred in 1984 ; the next one should happen anytime within the next 2 years (2014, 2015) …
The Kilauea Caldera (1250 m). Inside the caldera, the pit crater of the Halema’uma’u lava lake is to be found ; it is one of the only 4 lava lakes of the world, the others being Erta Ale in Ethiopia, Nyiragongo in Zaïre and Erebus in Antarctica. Though off limits, it is quite straightforward to walk to the rim of the crater at night (without any lamp !) : the scenery is dantean, with lava flowing upwards permanently to the surface of the lake (its diameter is approx 150 m and the surface is about 70 m downward from the rim).
The Pu’u’o’o. East of the Kilauea caldera, this volcano is one of the most active and studied volcano in the world. From the crater, lava flows towards the ocean, some 30 kms away. When the lava reaches the water, though forbidden (but tolerated), it is possible to view the lava from a boat. It is also quite easy to walk very close to the lava fountains at the sea edge, if well equipped (it is also off limits but nobody will care !).
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